SOUL

I see things that aren't there

It had been a strange afternoon.

Leo had just finished lunch when he noticed Marigold sitting up in the tree that separated their houses again. He'd quickly learned that she enjoyed climbing the branches and spending her days up there,  rain, snow, or sunshine she'd be perched in the tree. 

She seemed quiet, almost too quiet, and something about the way she was sitting sent a weird feeling down his spine. He'd only known her for a short while, but they spent most of their time together since his family moved in. He'd broekn her out of her shell, she didn't hold her tongue around him nor his family any longer. But today she hadn't knocked at his door, she was different. She was still.

Leo crossed the street, glancing up at the branches. "Mary?" he called gently. She didn't respond.

"Hey," he tried again, a bit louder this time. "Mary, are you okay? It's freezing out here"

Suddenly, her body stiffened, and her head snapped back slightly like she'd been yanked by something unseen. Leo's heart jumped into his throat as her eyes rolled back, and she slumped against the tree trunk, motionless.

"Mary!" he shouted, panic rising as he stepped closer, unsure of what to do. His whole body went cold, the kind of cold that had nothing to do with the winter air as a chill went down his spine. He tried to shake her awake, gripping at her hanging leg, his hand gripping the poka dotted purple rain boot tightly. She wasn't responding.

And then, just as quickly as it happened, her eyes shot open. She gasped like she had been holding her breath for too long, her entire body trembling. A blood-curdling scream ripped out of her throat, piercing the stillness of the snowy afternoon. 

Leo took a step back, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. He had never seen anything like it before. Her scream echoed in his ears, and he froze, his stomach twisting with fear and confusion. What had just happened?

Marigold's eyes were wild, and unfocused, darting around like she was seeing something that wasn't there. She clutched her chest, tears streaming down her face as she trembled, whispering something Leo couldn't make out.

"leave me alone please stop" she whispers

"Mama!" he calls loudly 

Terrified, he turned and bolted back to his house, bursting through the front door, gasping for breath. His mom was sitting in the living room, but his sudden entrance caught her attention immediately.

"Leo, what is it?" his mother, asked, her voice calm but filled with concern. She stood quickly, crossing the room to meet him.

Leo's hands shook as he tried to explain. "Marigold... she—she just started screaming! I don't know what happened, Mama, but it was really scary. It's like she wasn't there for a second. And then..."

Tears welled up in his eyes, and he wiped them away quickly, ashamed of how scared he felt. "she scared me!"

Adamma knelt in front of him, her face soft with understanding. Leo sniffled, wiping his nose on his sleeve. "where is she?" 

"She's in the tree. I didn't know what to do."

Adamma's eyes darkened with concern, and without another word, she grabbed her shoes and hurried outside. Leo followed hesitantly, his heart still pounding in his chest.

When they reached the tree, Marigold was still sitting there, clutching her knees tightly to her chest, her face hidden. Her small body trembled slightly, and even from a distance, Adamma could see how fragile she looked. Sitting in the cold with nothing but a long sleeve shirt and jeans which had gotten soaking wet, her long red hair knotted and tangled.